It’s been a decade since Manchester indie icons The Charlatans last performed in Aberdeen.
But that all changed last night as the band brought their 30th-anniversary tour (delayed due to Covid-19) to the Granite City in fine style.
Fan favourite hits matched with tender moments in what was a magnetic performance at the Music Hall.
Gig-goers of all ages revelled in the band’s distinct sound which has earned them three UK number one albums over their career.
And most impressively, they remain one of those rare bands that just seem to get better with age.
A class act? You bet.
First up
First up to play on the night was singer-songwriter Martin Carr.
Born in Thurso, Carr was the former frontman of fellow 90s indie compatriots The Boo Radleys and is now embarking on a solo career.
Those in the crowd that made it down early were treated to a solid performance.
Aberdeen here we come pic.twitter.com/0LrT6HE0iE
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) May 17, 2022
An excellent slow ballad midway through the set was the high point while Doors-esque keys, reverby guitars and driving basslines brought a touch of 60s nostalgia.
With Carr’s soft-spoken vocals so synonymous with Tim Burgess, he was the ideal act to warm up for the party that was to follow.
The Charlatans
Heading out onto the stage in front of a sell-out audience, anticipation was rife as The Charlatans made their entrance.
Platform stage lights and a large screen projector provided great visuals from the offset and photos of the band’s younger selves provoked a number of smiles from the audience.
The four-piece opted not to open with some of their instantly recognisable numbers, but they set a nice sonic atmosphere to gradually ease the crowd into higher tempo favourites.
By song number four, Then (which Burgess describes as his favourite Charlatans track), brought the energy and the band’s effortless swagger took centre stage.
Cool as you like
It’s hard to think of any other 54-year-old who can still pull off a mop top haircut as well as Tim Burgess.
Rocking the stage in a checked cardigan, white shirt and skinny jeans, he exuded every bit of cool that he did when he was in his 20s.
He looked at home on the Aberdeen stage and had a slightly unusual penchant for taking lots of pictures and videos of the audience on his phone.
He wasn’t shy to interact with the crowd either, revving them up by throwing his hands in the air to just about every song played on the night – to which they duly obliged.
His fellow band members were just as slick, and though it may not have been the original lineup that graced stages thirty years ago due to the tragic passing of members Rob Collins in 1996 and Jon Brookes in 2013, looking at the band in 2022, there remains a visible chemistry that continues to bind The Charlatans together.
All the classics
The band mentioned to The Press and Journal pre-show that their latest tour would offer fans a trip down memory lane – and they certainly got it in abundance.
Around the midway point of the set, Coming Home marked the energetic turning point.
Arms flailed and those keenest down the front jumped with gusto.
This was quickly followed by the 1997 classic One To Another, met with further elation and hundreds of voices chanting in unison.
There were also some stripped back numbers in the performance which offered a chance for a breather.
A Man Needs To Be Told was the best of them. Arms round shoulders and a sea of smiles took hold before the band upped the ante once more and saved the best till last.
Jubilant performance
The Only One I Know, arguably The Charlatans’ most loved song, set hearts racing with its wah-wah guitar intro before the keys burst the song into life.
Its tempo was a touch slower than the original recording and it slightly dimmed its usual danceable intensity, which was a bit of a shame.
Nonetheless, it sounded magnificent. And following it up with the roaring guitars of North Country Boy marked a raucous end to the performance – until the encore, of course.
Feet stomping and oddly unexpected Aberdeen FC “stand free” chants heralded the band back onto the stage for a blazing finale.
“We’re going to play a very, very long version of Sproston Green,” Burgess announced, and this didn’t disappoint.
Atmospheric instrumentals and captivating visuals created a euphoric energy that brought the Aberdeen crowd together as one.
It was a fitting finale to a jubilant performance from The Charlatans – who hopefully won’t wait another ten years to visit the north-east once again.
We ❤️ you Aberdeen
Forever pic.twitter.com/8O3aWpXoUh
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) May 18, 2022